Over the past five years, Northampton's baseball team has worked to raise the level of the program.

This past spring, the Konkrete Kids took a major step when they registered 15 wins and advanced to the PIAA District 11 Class 4A semifinals where their season ended in a 4-2 loss to Parkland. Still, the Kids have apparently grown through the process.

"We had a good senior class that raised the bar for us," said head coach Mick Sugra, who recently completed his fifth season. "We're looking now for our younger kids to keep this going for us. We hope the younger guys learned from this season.

"We had some hills and valleys this season. We had a seven-game winning streak and then we had some tough games. But we'll be a better program because of it."

Against Parkland, the Kids jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the fourth only to have Parkland answer with a three-spot in the bottom of the inning.

The Kids later loaded the bases with one out, but the inning ended with a double-play, an act that ignited the Trojans and deflated the Kids.

"We had our chances," said Sugra. "We didn't take advantage of enough opportunities. But the kids played hard and played a great game. Parkland is a very good team and they are very deep. They have multiple pitchers and had a number of good ones.

"We only had three strikeouts and hit the ball hard."

The Kids will lose starters Collin Shambo and Teddy Ancelitz in the outfield and starters Noah Durnin on the mound. Nate Michael, who started at first and later at DH, and shortstop Harley Davidson also both will be leaving the program.

On the flip side, the Kids will have a solid core returning with Nick DiMieri back on the mound as well as five other starters returning.

"We had a good senior class that certainly will be missed," said Sugra. "Shambo and Ancelitz brought energy to us and Noah (Durnin) was solid for us all season. Harley (Davidson) had a good year in the field, but he didn't hit like he thought he would. Nate (Michael) did a good job for us at first and also went to DH."

Sugra also was excited about his team clearing some challenging hurdles, such as beating Liberty for the first time in his stint when his club won a 3-1 decision in the second-round of districts.

"I didn't tell the kids that we never beat Liberty since I was here," said Sugra. "But that was a big win for us. We also defeated Bangor in the opening round of districts and beat a pitcher who is as good as anyone out there.

"We had the winning streak, the 15 wins and had a 7-3 record in a division with Parkland, Whitehall, Emmaus, Nazareth, and Central Catholic. I honestly didn't think we would get that many wins and have that type of division record. We also advanced deep into districts. That says something about these kids and how determined they were.

"We were pretty loose in the EPC and district playoffs. We really gained more of sense of confidence."

From here, Sugra is confident his team can continue and improve.

"These seniors raised the bar to the district semifinals," said Sugra. "Now it's up to the next group of guys to take it from there. They certainly have the potential and are definitely capable of doing it.

"We just have to keep playing well offensively and defensively and also have enough arms to get back there and beyond."